LOS ANGELES: They may not be as famous in Europe as Posh 'n' Becks, Brangelina or even Jay Z and Beyonce, but the richest couple in the world are supermodel Gisele Bundchen and her American football playing husband Tom Brady, according to Forbes magazine.The pair earned a grand total of $76m between May 2010 and May 2011 says the magazine, and it seems that Gisele was the household's main breadwinner (if they do actually eat bread).
The Brazilian raked in $45m during the year and is apparently on course to become the world's first billionaire supermodel. Her husband only contributed a meagre $31m to the family finances. But even if they were to lose all their endorsement deals the couple would probably still be able to scrape by on Brady's $18m-a-year salary from the New England Patriots.
Mr and Mrs Bundchen may have taken the prize this year but they faced stiff competition from pop's premiere couple, Beyonce and her rap star husband Jay Z. The pair have extensive business interests, but it seems Jay was slightly more successful with his last year. He contributed $37m of the $72m that the couple earned, although Beyonce was not far behind with earnings of $35m.
In third place came Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. As with Gisele and Tom Brady it was the lady of the house who earned the most. Jolie was paid $30m last year, while Pitt pulled in rather less - just $20m, although it was a quiet year for the actor.
Next on the list come David and Victoria Beckham, who between them earned $45m last year. Almost all of it was down to David, whose career on the pitch may be drawing to a conclusion but who still has plenty off clout off it. He made $40m last year thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas, while Victoria's fashion interests helped her rake in an extra $5m.
That $5m may not sound like much, but it helped elevate the Beckhams above the fifth-placed couple, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, who both earned $20m last year thanks to the success of the Twilight films in which they star.